2008-08-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, August 22, 2008 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – August 22, 2008 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Mr. Jim Henderson, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, discussed alternative learning programs offered by the Schools. He said that the in-school behavioral learning program started last year has reduced out of school suspensions by 40%. He said intense instruction is provided at the Henry Avenue Learning Center and evening school. He said a non-traditional program is missing, and a flexible, more comprehensive program is needed. He said School and City staff have been looking at moving Central Office to Crow Pool. He said this would free up space at Charlottesville High School which could be used for a non-traditional charter school and would provide access to other programs at CHS. He said the Henry Avenue Learning Center could be moved into the old Central Office space. He said the Henry Avenue space is now being rented. Mr. Norris asked if there is capacity to add more students at Albemarle County’s Murray School, and Mr. Henderson said no. Responding to questions from Dr. Brown, Mr. Henderson said that there are 114 students at Murray School, and Ms. Rosa Atkins, Superintendent of Schools, said the proposal would be to start with 50 students at CHS. Mr. Henderson said the Schools are paying $70,000 to $75,000 a year in rent on Henry Avenue. Dr. Brown said he is happy to see the Schools move forward with a Murray-type school. He expressed concern about the high school setting fostering the same sense of identity that Murray School has. Mr. Henderson said it will be the School’s job to create a culture for that school, but being there provides options for those kids. He agreed that a sense of ownership will have to be created. Ms. Atkins said they want it to be a self-contained school. Mr. Taliaferro said the school may have less of a stigma if it is at CHS. Mr. Huja said he is pleased by the variety of initiatives. Mr. Norris asked Mr. Henderson to walk through the proposed time line. Mr. Henderson said the Schools will get an architect on board to look at Crow Pool. Construction could begin in May of 2010 or sooner at Crow. Central Office would be moved and then that space would be refurnished. Then construction could begin at CHS in the fall of 2011 or early 2012. Ms. Atkins said the Schools will submit the charter school application in the summer of 2009.